I have lots of news from the the huge expo floor of this year’s American Diabetes Association annual conference this week. To start off, one of the most impressive new devices I saw was indeed the new Jewel Pump from Debiotech out of Lausanne, Switzerland. My friend and colleague Dr. Rich Jackson of the Joslin Diabetes Center even went so far as to call it “best in show.”
This smooth, oval-shaped disposal patch pump appears to be the next evolution of the company’s original micropump utilizing futuristic microfluidic MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology to put all of the systems “brains” on a tiny chip. But who cares what’s inside, right? As long as the product delivers. So why is this pump system looking like a real breakthrough?
- the “pod” portion is incredibly flat, smooth and comfortable-looking. It can carry up to 400 units of insulin (double the capacity of OmniPod) housed inside the incredibly flat, smooth, oval insulin reservoir that comprises a whole “layer” of the pump.
- there is no separate controller unit! Rather, you will control this pump via a smartphone application that runs on Android. You can use it on any Android-enabled cell phone. This is the tricky part for FDA approval, of course, but the company has already filed its 510K application, and seems optimistic. To ensure user safety, they’ve designed the “controller app” such that it disables the regular functions of your phone while you are bolusing or making other pump adjustments. In other words, when you’re in “pump mode” on the phone, you cannot send or receive calls or emails — not until you explicitly exit pump mode. You also need a secret PIN code to access “pump mode” — a further safety measure to make sure that no one else picks up your phone and starts fiddling with insulin delivery (see photos below)
- it has all the advanced features of the pumps we know and love, including bolus wizard and correction wizard, with adjustments for IOB (insulin on board), plus there are side buttons right on the pump for quick & easy bolusing without the controller, if desired. (Similar to that of Medingo’s new Solo pump, the Jewel’s closest would-be rival)
- the Jewel is easily detachable, so you can comfortably bathe or soak in a hot tub and then reconnect without losing your insulin and current “pod.” Like the the Solo, the Jewel has a flat cradle with the cannula that stays on your body for easy reconnection. This separation of parts also allows you to change your infusion site without dumping the current pod and insulin in use; you just pop it into the new cradle.
- They use the same exact adhesive material as the OmniPod, so least likely to irritate the skin, and the Jewel adhesive protrudes a bit in the front around the cannula area to offer a little extra reinforcement to keep the cannula in place (something I have for a long time wished the OmniPod had)
- again, it’s VERY flat, light and attractive, and comes in a half-dozen different vibrant colors, including black, blue and orange.
Some views of the pump’s Android interface:
The Jewel pump is already in mass production in Italy and could be ready for market in the US by mid-2011, the company tells me. They have a setup that allows them to create up to 10,000 units at a time. Pretty impressive. But how do they plan to sell at that volume in the US? Not on their own, they say. Debiotech’s main goal in exhibiting at ADA was to shop for “partner companies” that may be interested in licensing and selling the products in the States, they said. Or possible acquisition? They couldn’t comment. I just really want one. To me this looks like the future of pumping — small, slick, wireless yet high-volume, and controlled by your very own SmartPhone.
Also on display:
- Medingo’s Solo Patch pump, recently acquired by Roche Diabetes, which had the misfortune to be stationed in the booth right next door to the Jewel. I’ve previewed the Solo model several times before. Funny, Solo is 
FDA approved and even got pediatric clearance in January, but the system’s not slated to hit the market until 2012. The newest iteration of the PDM is looking nicer; it has these colorful bar graphs to help you visualize your basal settings for example, which I really like. But there are some weaknesses that could hurt the Solo’s chances of success if its competitors are on the ball:
Solo is bigger and less ‘sexy’ than the Jewel; it doesn’t yet have an integrated glucose meter like OmniPod does, although Roche is feverishly working on remedying that. There is currently no software associated with the system, so you can’t download any records from it. Roche of course has plans to integrate it with their SmartPix and Accu-Chek 360 software asap. (There’s a mini-USB port at the waiting on the Solo).
The one advantage I saw in the Solo is that Medingo’s developing two different cannula lengths for the system — 6mm and 9mm — at different angles, to help users get better absorption and fewer accidental disconnects. Solo also offers seven different color options, in the form of exchangeable front plates. So you can accessorize.
LifeScan was also showing off the new Delica Lancing System, its new compact little lancet that uses tiny 33g needles. They were giving out demo units at the show, so I got a chance to give it a try. It is pretty painless indeed, and very small and pleasing to handle. I quite liked this model — the one big disadvantage being the fact that it uses proprietary lancing needles, meaning you cannot use those extra boxes of “regular” lancing needles your insurance sent you, but will rather have to convince your insurance provider to cover a new, special set of Delica-specific needles.
{Not actual size - this display looks like you could saddle up and ride it home}
And Intuity Medical was once again showcasing it All-In-One glucose testing system, formerly called the OnQ, and now branded “Pogo,” which stands for “Press & Go.” This is a glucose meter with the lancing system built right in, a la Pelikan (but based on different technology), so that all you 
have to do is hold your finger up to a little hole on the meter and the system does the rest. Inside is a drum that holds 10 test strips, each with a separate lancet. You just push the button, it gives you a countdown, and then pokes your finger and tests. You don’t see any blood or the needle, and there are no test strips to dispose of. When(ever) it receives FDA approval, the Pogo meter will be full-featured; it can store 500 BG data points and you can tag each result breakfast, lunch or dinner, or pre- or post-, etc. by simply clicking on icons such as a sun for waketime and moon for pre-bedtime. The company says they are also developing their very own unique comprehensive software for downloading your data from the Pogo, which they hope will be available at launch (which is TBD, depending on the FDA’s next moves). The Pogo looks pretty appealing to be sure, but since I’ve seen it on display at the last two ADA conferences, I’m having trouble getting very excited about its actual availability in the near future. Call me when it’s approved for market, please!
Much more news from ADA is coming, just as soon as I recover from last night’s various cocktail parties 
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christopher, JCampbell. JCampbell said: DiabetesMine: ADA Device Report: New ‘Jewel Pump’ is Best in Show http://bit.ly/cZKk4n #diabetes [...]
[...] things for you. One, I was forwarded this link to a post from Amy Tenderich at Diabetes Mine. It’s a pump that, among other awesome features, you control with your Android phone. I know I’ve talked a lot about the possible switch to a pump recently, and this upcoming [...]
Fantastic overview! Thanks for the update. Looking forward to hearing more about the Jewel, although without a separate controller, not sure it will be suitable for young kids who don’t have an Android phone. Not necessarily a show stopper, but something to consider.
Yes, yes, YES! Pump that can be controlled by an “open” device!
I realize that getting FDA approval for that kind of software is probably bureaucratic in the extreme, but I would love to see this kind of thing open to an iPhone and Windows 7 mobile O/S’s, too.
@Lorraine, I bet they’ll have some kind of deal with a device manufacturer (probably HTC) that’ll get you a minimal handset (likely only Bluetooth, no cellular) that can control the device.
@Nicholas I agree. I hope so. I would actually worry about a sleek phone getting stolen at school. No one is too interested in Caleb’s current PDM (or even his very simple cell phone.)
In terms of the Jewell, what if you don’t own a cell phone?
I hope they have a non-phone controller. I have an issue with all this diabetes development tied to smart phones, they are snazzy but we have so many people with diabetes who can’t afford their current monthly diabetes costs. I worry about adding the monthly costs of smart phones to the mix. I can’t imagine insurers will cover phones – in fact, I’d be opposed to making health insurers cover phones. It’s a tricky balance, technology and cost.
I was going to suggest the same thing as Lorraine….my daughter doesn’t have a cell phone, much less a fancier one than I have! She’s only 7!!!!!!!
Though the Jewel does look appealing….that being said, however, all of the main contenders will have an integrated CGM soon. Does that leave the Jewel behind before it even starts? I would consider a pump such as Jewel or Solo because of the IOB feature and ability to dose from the “pod” itself……but I’d like to see them hit the market completely integrated with a CGM….and those are probably pretty high hopes…..
Very interesting technology out there! Thanks for having reported to us about it!
I only question this statement: – “They use the same exact adhesive material as the OmniPod, so least likely to irritate the skin” I am a former OmniPodder who found that their adhesive DID irritate my skin – very much. I was wishing a company would try a new adhesive that would adhere but not mess with very sensitive skin.
Just added a few things to my bucket list lol hopefully jewel is listening to the non phone rumbles in the DOC
I am very intrigued by the Jewel pump, but it won’t work for me as I am now quite allergic to the OmniPod tape… any idea what kind of tape the Solo uses? Same as the pod tape or different? I am missing my wireless pump!!
Interesting. I am also concerned as a parent of a 7 year old T1 that everything is tied to a smartphone. I understand the convenience, but I also agree with Kassie – we have so many people in this country who can’t afford simple testing supplies, now a phone? Great for some people, not for everyone I guess.
Interesting and fun looking, but for those of us who cannot afford a smart phone, what good is it?
The economy has hit us more than hard, and right now it’s hard enough affording insurance and supplies.
Some of this stuff looks AMAZING! I love advances in technology.
I think there should be a disclaimer regarding the expertise of the blogger. For example, take this current article regarding the Jewel pump. Great technology, no doubt. But is this technology alone capable of improving the outcome of A1c in comparison to a sensor augmented pump? No. So when you cite someone who calls the Jewel Pump “Best in Show”, look what happens. Now http://www.jewelpump.com cites “diabetes mine” as calling the pump “Best in Show”. The sad reality of bloggers is the fact that experience does not always qualify for medical expertise. Please state this is your best opinion as a pumper, and not as a prescribing physician. Nice to see how something innocent can be taken so far out of context. I am sure there were several key scientific findings that are overshadowed by this “Best in Show” pump that provides nothing other than convenience. Add a CGM to the Jewel and I will stand behind you saying that it is best in show. Until then, it’s just another pump with great promise sitting on a shelf in another country.
Clarke, there is a disclaimer located within the right column. It’s been there for as long as I can remember.
Progress in micro technology is amazing and as impatient as I can feel sometimes, we are in the early years of CGM and tubeless pumping. We’re going to have some real options within a few years and integration is inevitable.
Could a smartphone be configured to work as dedicated diabetes device without a sim card and paying for a cell phone subscription? How about a fingerprint reader so I don’t have to input my password every time I answer a text!
Wow…. I know it might take a while or never get here, but the jewel looks really incredible. I was kind of disappointed to read the comments here and see so many lacking my enthusiasm
First, even if they don’t come out with a device that can be used in place of a smartphone, you can still buy an unlocked phone for about $500 – which is less than 10% of the cost of a traditional pump. My first pump cost me $1000 out of pocket even with insurance.
Second,I understand pumps are designed for people with “juvenile” diabetes, bit we aren’t all juveniles! As a 31 year old, I would gladly trade off some child safety features for more advanced features, user control, and convience. One day your child will be an adult too and would probably appreciate diabetic devices that aren’t necessarily so easy to use that a child can do it.
Regarding the controller, if you go to the pumps website, click the “discover the JewelPUMP” button and look at the PDF it says “Blutooth remote control and personal phone included in your jewelPUMP system”
@Clarke, did you read the article? It clearly states “Dr. Rich Jackson of the Joslin Diabetes Center even went so far as to call it “best in show.””
@kdroberts – thank you for that.
@Clarke – Please don’t start spewing criticisms until you’ve actually read a post carefully. ‘Best in show’ was first of all, a quote from a physician, and it refers to the best of the brand new DEVICES exhibited this year (as per the headline – not comparing devices to drugs, of course).
You do all know that android is only an open source operation system that is completely scalable, most of the times it is only in a phone but there are some TV manufactures that are starting to integrate it in to 50in TV’s. So the concern that you need to use a phone for this device is completely unfounded , all they would have to do is make a 3rd party device that only has the os and the app (locked to be its only function).
And also look @ it from the manufactures side, no proprietary HW required to activate and operate it, so a lower overhead, and with an open source code for an os you can make the device available from different suppliers, like HTC , or Motorola , or anyone else that wants to.
I read a fair number of reports about the JewelPUMP and I am excited about it because of it is a real departure from the heavy and cumbersome (external tubing) alternatives at this point in time. My worry is about costs. The replacement of the insulin reservoir, battery and pumping system every sixth day will probably make this solution very expensive on a daily basis.
A large number of people including me won’t be able to afford it since the costs won’t be covered by medical insurance.
I haven’t seen a single piece of information about such costs. Even the company that produces the JewelPUMP does not bother to provide a vague estimation of the costs involved. I should stop here. The coming of the JewelPUMP is a classic example of capitalism. Here comes a promising product destined to diabetics that have the means to afford it.
I am know on the omnipod systems. I love my omnipod but being very active I am always looking for new and smaller tubless units. The jewelpump is awesome…..I have family in Switzerland. I am hoping that we are able to get one for me to try.
am wondering how long this product will take to get to south africa.it looks like an awsom unit,and where would you download the application ,i really do want one .
I would also like such a wireless insulin delivery system with a 15 year old daughter. Hungary still with us would not hear of such a device may be near future, it is unlikely that this will be with us. This is not fair.
I want the best treatment for my child, then maybe in 2015. Have the opportunity to buy this system?
[...] [...]
when is the Jewel pump expected to be available to buy?
Thanks Amy – great report – looking forward to more. Jewel Pump’s website http://www.jewelpump.com/ is already quoting and linking to your blog post http://www.jewelpump.com/ . (BTW, I still have flip flops from the makers of POGO from years ago at ADA that say OnQ all over them, and agree – will believe it when it finally makes it to market. Also wish the drum had more than 10 lancets/strips. )
Oops someone else shared this blog post and now I see it’s dated June 28, 2010
[...] check out a ton of new products on the market. As a happy OmniPod wearer, my favorite was the Jewel Pump. I look forward to seeing more of what is coming on the market in terms of patch pumps. [...]